EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT
Chapter E‑6.8
Table of Contents
1 Definitions
2 Crown bound
3 Proof of authorization
Part 1 Administration
3.1 Emergency Management Alberta Agency
4 Cabinet Committee
5 Advisory committees
6 Regulations 7 Subrogation regulations
9 Powers of Minister
10 Ministerial orders
11 Municipal emergency organization
11.1 Emergency advisory committee
11.2 Emergency management agency
11.3 Delegation by local authority
12 Disaster Relief Fund
13 Recovery of expenditures
14 Fees
17 Offence
17.1 Confidentiality
Part 2 State of Emergency
18 Declaration of state of emergency
19 Powers of Minister in emergency
20 Termination of state of emergency
21 Declaration of state of local emergency
22 Cancellation of declaration of state of local emergency
23 Termination of declaration of state of local emergency
23.1 Notice provisions do not apply
24 Powers of local authority
25 Dispute re compensation
26 Conscript’s employment
Part 3 Liability Protection for Emergency Service Providers
27 Minister
28 Local authority
29 Search and rescue organization
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:
Definitions
1 In this Act,
(a) “Agency” means the Alberta Emergency Management Agency referred to in section 3.1(1);
(a.1) “Cabinet Committee” means the committee of the Executive Council appointed under section 4;
(b) “declaration of a state of emergency” means an order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council under section 18;
(c) “declaration of a state of local emergency” means a resolution or order of a local authority under section 21;
(d) repealed 2007 c12 s3;
(e) “disaster” means an event that results in serious harm to the safety, health or welfare of people or in widespread damage to property;
(f) “emergency” means an event that requires prompt co‑ordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the safety, health or welfare of people or to limit damage to property;
(g) “local authority” means
(i) where a municipality has a council within the meaning of the Municipal Government Act, that council,
(ii) in the case of an improvement district, the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act,
(iii) in the case of a special area, the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act,
(iv) the settlement council of a settlement under the Metis Settlements Act,
(v) the park superintendent of a national park or the superintendent’s delegate where an agreement is entered into with the Government of Canada under section 9(b) in which it is agreed that the park superintendent is a local authority for the purposes of this Act, or
(vi) the band council of an Indian band where an agreement is entered into with the Government of Canada under section 9(b) in which it is agreed that the band council is a local authority for the purposes of this Act;
(g.1) “Managing Director” means the individual who holds the office of Managing Director of the Agency by virtue of an appointment under section 3.1(2), and includes any individual acting in that capacity;
(h) “Minister” means the Minister determined under section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this Act;
(i) “municipality” means the area comprising a municipality within the meaning of the Municipal Government Act or an improvement district or special area and includes
(i) the settlement area of a settlement under the Metis Settlements Act,
(ii) the area comprising a national park where an agreement is entered into with the Government of Canada under section 9(b) in which it is agreed that the park superintendent is a local authority for the purposes of this Act, and
(iii) the area comprising an Indian reserve where an agreement is entered into with the Government of Canada under section 9(b) in which it is agreed that the band council is a local authority for the purposes of this Act.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s1;2002 c32 s5;2004 c30 s2; 2007 c12 s3
Crown bound
2 This Act binds the Crown.
1992 c31 s3
Proof of authorization
3 If the Minister authorizes a person to carry out a power or duty of the Minister under this Act as the Minister responsible for this Act or as a local authority and the authorization
(a) is made in writing,
(b) purports to be signed by the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act or the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act, and
(c) states that the person named in it is authorized under this section to carry out the power or duty set out in the written authorization,
that written authorization or a copy of it shall be admitted in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of that person’s authorization to carry out the power or duty without proof of the signature or official character of the Minister.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s3;2007 c12 s4;2010 c5 s2
Part 1 Administration
Emergency Management Alberta Agency
3.1(1) There shall be a part of the public service of Alberta known as the “Alberta Emergency Management Agency”.
(2) In accordance with the Public Service Act, there shall be appointed a Managing Director and such officers and employees of the Crown in right of Alberta as the Minister considers are required for the administration of the business and affairs of the Agency.
2007 c12 s5
Cabinet Committee
4 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint a committee consisting of those members of the Executive Council whom the Lieutenant Governor in Council designates to advise on matters relating to emergencies and disasters.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s3
Advisory committees
5(1) The Minister may appoint committees as the Minister considers necessary or desirable to advise or assist the Minister, the Cabinet Committee or the Managing Director.
(2) The members of committees appointed under subsection (1) who are not officers or employees of the Crown, or officers or employees of an agency of the Crown, may be paid remuneration for their services and expenses at a rate or rates fixed by the Minister.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s5;2007 c12 s6
Regulations
6 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) assigning responsibility to departments, boards, commissions or Crown agencies for the preparation or implementation of plans or arrangements or parts of plans or arrangements to deal with emergencies;
(b) delegating any power or duty of the Minister or the Lieutenant Governor in Council under this Act except
(i) a power or duty of the Minister that has been delegated by the Minister,
(ii) the power to make regulations, and
(iii) the power to make an order declaring a state of emergency;
(c) governing the assessment of damage or loss caused by a disaster and the payment of compensation for the damage or loss;
(c.1) respecting the providing of funding for the reimbursement of costs incurred by local authorities and individuals in connection with measures taken to reduce or mitigate potential flood hazards, including, without limitation, regulations (i) prescribing or describing the measures to be taken to reduce or mitigate potential flood hazards that are eligible for the reimbursement of costs, and
(ii) governing the procedures applicable to and the proof required for the reimbursement of costs;
(c.2) respecting the filing and removal of caveats against titles to land in a flood fringe or floodway, as those terms are defined in the regulations, for which funding has been provided pursuant to a disaster recovery program administered under the regulations;
(d) governing the sharing of costs incurred by the Government of Alberta or by a local authority in conducting emergency operations;
(e) requiring persons
(i) who are engaged or may be engaged in any operation,
(ii) who are utilizing or may be utilizing any process,
(iii) who are using any property in any manner, or
(iv) on whose real property there exists or may exist any condition,
that may be or may create a hazard to persons or property, whether independently or as a result of some other event, to develop plans and programs in conjunction with local authorities to remedy or alleviate the hazard and to meet any emergency that might arise from the hazard;
(f) governing the administration of the Disaster Relief Fund;
(g) concerning any other matter or thing necessary for the administration of this Act and for which no specific provision is made in this Act.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s6;2002 c32 s5;2007 c12 s7; 2010 c5 s3;2013 c21 s1
Subrogation regulations
7(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations establishing that Her Majesty in right of Alberta has a right of subrogation with respect to
(a) payments of compensation made by Her Majesty in right of Alberta for damage or loss caused by a disaster, or
(b) payments made by Her Majesty in right of Alberta for the purpose of sharing costs incurred by a local authority in conducting emergency operations.
(2) The regulations under this section may define and describe the right of subrogation and may deal with any matter respecting the enforcement of or procedures relating to the right of subrogation.
(3) The regulations under this section may provide that the right of subrogation applies to payments made before November 15, 1993.
1993 c23 s3
8 Repealed 2011 c13 s3.
Powers of Minister
9 The Minister may
(a) review and approve or require the modification of provincial and municipal emergency plans and programs;
(b) enter into agreements with the Government of Canada or of any other province or territory or any agency of such a government, dealing with emergency plans and programs;
(c) make surveys and studies of resources and facilities to maintain and provide information necessary for the effective preparation of emergency plans and programs;
(d) make surveys and studies to identify and record actual and potential hazards that may cause emergencies;
(e) make payments and grants, subject to any terms or conditions that the Minister may prescribe, to local authorities for the purposes of assisting in emergency preparedness and the provision of public safety programs;
(f) enter into agreements with and make payments or grants, or both, to persons or organizations for the provision of services in the development or implementation of emergency plans or programs;
(g) conduct public information programs relating to emergency preparedness for and the mitigation of disasters.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s6;1985 c22 s7;1992 c31 s5;1995 c34 s13
Ministerial orders
10(1) The Minister may, by order,
(a) divide Alberta into various subdivisions for the purpose of organizing integrated emergency planning, training, assistance and emergency operations programs;
(b) require local authorities of those municipalities located within a subdivision referred to in clause (a) to prepare integrated plans, procedures and mutual assistance programs to deal with emergencies and to submit them to the Managing Director for review;
(c) establish procedures required for the prompt and efficient implementation of plans and programs to meet emergencies;
(d) require a person to whom the order is directed and
(i) who is engaged or may be engaged in any operation,
(ii) who is utilizing or may be utilizing any process,
(iii) who is using any property in any manner, or
(iv) on whose real property there exists or may exist any condition,
that may be or may create a hazard to persons or property, whether independently or as a result of some other event, to develop plans and programs in conjunction with one or more local authorities to remedy or alleviate the hazard and to meet any emergency that might arise from the hazard.
(2) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order made under subsection (1).
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s10;2002 c32 s5;2007 c12 s8
Municipal emergency organization
11 A local authority
(a) shall, at all times, be responsible for the direction and control of the local authority’s emergency response unless the Government assumes direction and control under section 18;
(b) shall prepare and approve emergency plans and programs;
(c) may enter into agreements with and make payments or grants, or both, to persons or organizations for the provision of services in the development or implementation of emergency plans or programs.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s11;2007 c12 s9;2010 c5 s4
Emergency advisory committee
11.1(1) Each local authority shall appoint an emergency advisory committee consisting of a member or members of the local authority or, in the case of an improvement district, a special area or a national park, a person or persons the local authority designates, to advise on the development of emergency plans and programs.
(2) The local authority shall provide for the payment of expenses of the members of the committee.
2010 c5 s4
Emergency management agency
11.2(1) A local authority shall maintain an emergency management agency to act as the agent of the local authority in exercising the local authority’s powers and duties under this Act.
(2) There shall be a director of the emergency management agency, who shall
(a) prepare and co‑ordinate emergency plans and programs for the municipality,
(b) act as director of emergency operations on behalf of the emergency management agency,
(c) co‑ordinate all emergency services and other resources used in an emergency, and
(d) perform other duties as prescribed by the local authority.
(3) A local authority, except an improvement district, special area, national park or Indian reserve, may by bylaw that is not advertised borrow, levy, appropriate and expend all sums required for the operation of the emergency management agency.
(4) For greater certainty, an emergency management agency may be maintained by and may act as the agent of more than one local authority.
2010 c5 s4
Delegation by local authority
11.3(1) Without limiting section 9 of the Government Organization Act, a local authority may delegate the local authority’s powers or duties under this Act to
(a) a regional services commission established under the Municipal Government Act representing 2 or more local authorities if the regional services commission is authorized in its establishing regulation to exercise that power or duty;
(b) if authorized by ministerial order, a joint committee representing 2 or more local authorities that is composed of one or more members appointed by each of the local authorities;
(c) in the case of a summer village and if authorized by ministerial order, another local authority.
(2) Despite sections 21(1) and 23(1), a delegate of a local authority under subsection (1) that declares or terminates a local state of emergency shall do so by resolution.
2010 c5 s4
Disaster Relief Fund
12(1) There is hereby established a Disaster Relief Fund into which may be deposited public donations for disaster relief in areas inside or outside Alberta.
(2) The Disaster Relief Fund shall be administered in accordance with the regulations by a committee called the “Disaster Relief Committee” consisting of those persons who are appointed to the committee by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
(3) Members of the Disaster Relief Committee who are not officers or employees of the Crown, or officers or employees of an agency of the Crown, may be paid remuneration for their services and expense allowances at the rate fixed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s10
Recovery of expenditures
13 When an expenditure with respect to a disaster is made by the Government within or for the benefit of a municipality, the local authority, other than a park superintendent or an Indian band council, shall, if so required by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, pay to the Minister the amount of the expenditure or the portion of it as may be specified in the order, at the times and on the terms as to the payment of interest and otherwise that the order may require.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s13;2006 c23 s23
Fees
14 The Minister may charge fees for any services or materials that are provided and any research that is carried out in respect of matters to which this Act pertains.
1985 c22 s12
15 and 16 Repealed 2010 c5 s5.
Offence
17 Any person who
(a) contravenes this Act or the regulations, or
(b) interferes with or obstructs any person in the carrying out of a power or duty under this Act or the regulations,
is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or to a fine of not more than $10 000 or to both imprisonment and fine.
RSA 2000 cE‑6.8 s17;2010 c5 s6
Confidentiality
17.1(1) Terms used in this section have the same meaning as is assigned to them in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
(2) The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act does not apply in respect of information in a record that is in the possession of a public body where the information
(a) is used or to be used for the purpose of preparing or administering a crisis management plan under a regulation under this Act, or
(b) forms part of a crisis management plan under a regulation under this Act.
2002 c32 s5
Part 2 State of Emergency
Declaration of state of emergency
18(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, at any time when the Lieutenant Governor in Council is satisfied that an emergency exists or may exist, make an order for a declaration of a state of emergency relating to all or any part of Alberta.
(2) A declaration of a state of emergency under subsection (1) must identify the nature of the emergency and the area of Alberta in which it exists.
(3) Immediately after the making of an order for a declaration of a state of emergency, the Minister shall cause the details of the declaration to be published by any means of communication that the Minister considers is most likely to make known to the majority of the population of the area affected the contents of the declaration.
(4) Unless continued by a resolution of the Legislative Assembly, an order under subsection (1) expires at the earlier of the following:
(a) at the end of 28 days, but if the order is in respect of a pandemic influenza, at the end of 90 days;
(b) when the order is terminated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
(5) Repealed 2010 c5 s7.
(5.1) Unless otherwise provided for in the order for a declaration of a state of emergency, where
(a) an order for a declaration of a state of emergency is made, and
(b) there is a conflict between this Act or a regulation made under this Act and any other Act or regulation, other than the Alberta Bill of Rights or the Alberta Human Rights Act or a regulation made under either of those Acts,
during the time that the order is in effect, this Act and the regulations made under this Act shall prevail in Alberta or that part of Alberta in respect of which the order was made.
(6) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order made under subsection (1).
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s18;2007 c23 s1;2009 c26 s34;2010 c5 s7; 2011 c13 s3;2013 c21 s1
Powers of Minister in emergency
19(1) On the making of the declaration and for the duration of the state of emergency, the Minister may do all acts and take all necessary proceedings including the following:
(a) put into operation an emergency plan or program;
(b) authorize or require a local authority to put into effect an emergency plan or program for the municipality;
(c) acquire or utilize any real or personal property considered necessary to prevent, combat or alleviate the effects of an emergency or disaster;
(d) authorize or require any qualified person to render aid of a type the person is qualified to provide;
(e) control or prohibit travel to or from any area of Alberta;
(f) provide for the restoration of essential facilities and the distribution of essential supplies and provide, maintain and co‑ordinate emergency medical, welfare and other essential services in any part of Alberta;
(g) cause the evacuation of persons and the removal of livestock and personal property from any area of Alberta that is or may be affected by a disaster and make arrangements for the adequate care and protection of those persons or livestock and of the personal property;
(h) authorize the entry into any building or on any land, without warrant, by any person in the course of implementing an emergency plan or program;
(i) cause the demolition or removal of any trees, structures or crops if the demolition or removal is necessary or appropriate in order to reach the scene of a disaster, or to attempt to forestall its occurrence or to combat its progress;
(j) procure or fix prices for food, clothing, fuel, equipment, medical supplies, or other essential supplies and the use of any property, services, resources or equipment within any part of Alberta for the duration of the state of emergency;
(k) authorize the conscription of persons needed to meet an emergency.
(2) As it relates to the acquisition of real property, subsection (1)(c) does not apply to real property located within a national park or an Indian reserve.
(3) If the Minister acquires or utilizes real or personal property under subsection (1) or if any real or personal property is damaged or destroyed due to an action of the Minister in preventing, combating or alleviating the effects of an emergency or disaster, the Minister shall cause compensation to be paid for it.
(4) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations in respect of any matter mentioned in subsection (1).
(5) On the making of an order under section 18(1), the Managing Director or some other person whom the Minister appoints is responsible for the co‑ordination and implementation of any or all necessary plans or programs prepared pursuant to this Act and all persons and agencies involved in the implementation are subject to the control and direction of the Managing Director or other person appointed.
RSA 2000 cD‑13 s19;2007 c12 s11;2010 c5 s8
Termination of state of emergency
20(1) When, in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, an emergency no longer exists in an area in relation to which a declaration of a state of emergency was made, the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall make an order terminating the declaration of a state of emergency in respect of that area.
(2) Immediately after an order is made under subsection (1), the Minister shall cause the details of the termination to be published by any means of communication that the Minister considers is most likely to make known to the majority of the population of the area affected the contents of the termination order.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s17
Declaration of state of local emergency
21(1) A local authority may, at any time when it is satisfied that an emergency exists or may exist in its municipality, by resolution or, in the case of the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act, the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act or a park superintendent of a national park, by order, make a declaration of a state of local emergency relating to all or any part of the municipality.
(2) A declaration of a state of local emergency under subsection (1) must identify the nature of the emergency and the area of the municipality in which it exists.
(3) Immediately after the making of a resolution for a declaration of a state of local emergency, the local authority shall cause the details of the declaration to be published by any means of communication that it considers is most likely to make known to the population of the area of the municipality affected the contents of the declaration.
(4) Repealed 2010 c5 s9.
RSA 2000 cE‑6.8 s21;2010 c5 s9
Cancellation of declaration of state of local emergency
22(1) The local authority shall forthwith on making a declaration of a state of local emergency forward a copy of the declaration to the Minister.
(2) The Minister may cancel the declaration of a state of local emergency at any time the Minister considers appropriate in the circumstances.
(3) A declaration of a state of local emergency ceases to be of any force or effect on the making of an order for a state of emergency by the Lieutenant Governor in Council relating to the same area of the municipality.
(4) A declaration of a state of local emergency lapses 7 days after its making by the local authority unless it is earlier cancelled by the Minister or terminated by the local authority or unless it is renewed by the local authority.
(5) This section and section 21(3) apply to any renewal of a state of local emergency.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s19
Termination of declaration of state of local emergency
23(1) When, in the opinion of the local authority, an emergency no longer exists in an area of the municipality in relation to which a declaration of a state of local emergency was made, it shall by resolution or, in the case of the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act, the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act or a park superintendent of a national park, by order, terminate the declaration of a state of local emergency in respect of that area.
(2) Immediately after
(a) the passage of a resolution or order terminating a declaration under subsection (1),
(b) the cancellation by the Minister of a declaration of a state of local emergency, or
(c) the termination by lapse of time of a declaration of a state of local emergency,
the local authority shall cause the details of the declaration or cancellation or the fact of the termination by lapse of time to be published by any means of communication that it considers is most likely to make known to the majority of the population of the area affected the contents of the declaration or cancellation or the fact of the termination.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s20;1985 c22 s18
Notice provisions do not apply
23.1 Where the sole purpose of a meeting of a local authority is to pass a resolution referred to in section 21(1) or 23(1), the notice requirements in sections 194 to 196 of the Municipal Government Act do not apply.
2002 c32 s5
Powers of local authority
24(1) On the making of a declaration of a state of local emergency and for the duration of the state of local emergency, the local authority may do all acts and take all necessary proceedings including the following:
(a) cause any emergency plan or program to be put into operation;
(b) exercise any power given to the Minister under section 19(1) in relation to the part of the municipality affected by the declaration;
(c) authorize any persons at any time to exercise, in the operation of an emergency plan or program, any power given to the Minister under section 19(1) in relation to any part of the municipality affected by a declaration of a state of local emergency.
(1.1) If the local authority acquires or utilizes real or personal property under subsection (1) or if any real or personal property is damaged or destroyed due to an action of the local authority in preventing, combating or alleviating the effects of an emergency or disaster, the local authority shall cause compensation to be paid for it.
(2) A local authority, except the local authority of an improvement district, special area, national park or Indian reserve, may, during or within 60 days after the state of local emergency, by bylaw that is not advertised but is approved by the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act, borrow any money necessary to pay expenses caused by the emergency including payment for services provided by the Government of Alberta or by the Government of Canada when the services were provided at the request of the local authority.
(3) In the case of an improvement district, the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act and in the case of a special area, the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act may, during or within 60 days after the state of local emergency, borrow any money necessary to pay expenses caused by the emergency including payment for services provided by the Government of Alberta or by the Government of Canada when the services were provided at the request of the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act or the Minister responsible for the Special Areas Act, as the case may be.
RSA 2000 cE‑6.8 s24;2010 c5 s10
Dispute re compensation
25 If any dispute arises concerning the amount of compensation payable under this Act, the matter shall be determined by arbitration and the Arbitration Act applies.
RSA 1980 cD‑36 s22
Conscript’s employment
26 A person’s employment shall not be terminated by reason only that the person is conscripted pursuant to section 19(1) or 24(1).
1992 c31 s10
Part 3 Liability Protection for Emergency Service Providers
Minister
27 No action lies against the Minister or a person acting under the Minister’s direction or authorization for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith while carrying out a power or duty under this Act or the regulations.
2010 c5 s11
Local authority
28 No action lies against a local authority or a person acting under the local authority’s direction or authorization for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith while carrying out a power or duty under this Act or the regulations during a state of local emergency.
2010 c5 s11
Search and rescue organization
29 No action in negligence lies against a search and rescue organization, the directors of that organization or a person acting under the direction or authorization of that organization for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith while acting under an agreement between that organization and the Minister.
2010 c5 s11
